Travel Plan for Hokkaido & Tokyo: 12 Days in Winter

🇯🇵Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, cool weather, and pristine white snow during winter. From mountain views, pine forests, snowy fields, to charming and tranquil towns, Hokkaido offers a unique charm distinct from the bustling cities of Tokyo or Osaka.

❄️Winter in Japan is a season we adore—not just for the white snow but also for the beautiful illuminations, delicious food, and cozy cafes. This trip primarily focuses on Hokkaido, with a brief visit to Tokyo for 3 days and 2 nights. Totally worth it!

Day 1: Hakodate
🇯🇵Uni Murakami
🇯🇵Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
🇯🇵Asari Honten

Day 2: Hakodate
🇯🇵Hakodate Morning Market Ekini Market
🇯🇵Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden
🇯🇵Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
🇯🇵Cafe Motomachi Saryo 元町茶寮
🇯🇵Hakodate Orthodox Church
🇯🇵Hachiman Zaka Slope
🇯🇵Funadama Jinja Shrine
🇯🇵Mt. Hakodate Ropeway - Mountain Base Station
🇯🇵Lucky Pierrot Marina Suehiro Branch

Day 3: Noboribetsu
🇯🇵Jigokudani (Hell Valley) 🌋
🇯🇵Odori Park White Illumination & Munich Christmas Market
🇯🇵Gong Cha Sapporo Branch
🇯🇵Tokachi Butadon Ippin

Day 4: A Day in Otaru
🇯🇵Otaru Canal
🇯🇵Sakaimachi Street
🇯🇵Otaru Music Box Museum
🇯🇵Susukino & Tanukikoji Shopping Street💵
🇯🇵Nikka Whiskey Sign
🇯🇵Pole Town
🇯🇵Aji no Hitsujigaoka

Day 5: A Day in Asahikawa
🇯🇵Asahiyama Zoo
🇯🇵Asahikawa Ramen Village
🇯🇵Aeon Mall Asahikawa Ekimae

Day 6: A Day in Biei & Furano
🇯🇵Mild Seven Hill (マイルドセブンの丘)
🇯🇵Christmas Tree (クリスマスツリーの木)
🇯🇵Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai no Oka
🇯🇵Cafe Kita Koubou
🇯🇵Junpei since 1977
🇯🇵Shirahige Waterfall
🇯🇵Furano Trekking Support YUMA
🇯🇵Ningle Terrace
🇯🇵GyuZen Susukino Sapporo

Day 7:
🇯🇵Sapporo Jogai Market
🇯🇵Hill of the Buddha
🇯🇵Moai Statue Sapporo
🇯🇵The Cemetery Service Center (真駒内滝野霊園管理事務所)
🇯🇵Butsuganji Sapporohonzan
🇯🇵Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
🇯🇵Jozankei Onsen

Day 8: Tokyo
🇯🇵Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera
🇯🇵I'm Donut
🇯🇵Stroll around Omotesando
🇯🇵CAFÉ Mori no Terrace CAFÉ 杜のテラス
🇯🇵Meiji Jingu
🇯🇵Meiji Jingu Gaien Autumn Leaves
🇯🇵Tokyo Christmas Market 2024
🇯🇵Stroll around Shibuya
🇯🇵Nihonbashi Kaisen Don Taujihan Tokyo Midtown Branch
🇯🇵MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS 2024 at Midtown Garden

Day 9: Tokyo DisneySea
🇯🇵Tokyo DisneySea
🇯🇵Keyakizaka Illumination in Roppongi 2024

Day 10: Tokyo
🇯🇵Stroll around Daikanyamacho
🇯🇵Blue Bottle Ebisu
🇯🇵Gyukatsu Motomura Shibuya Branch
🇯🇵Beams Japan Shibuya Branch
🇯🇵Hello Kitty 50th Exhibition at Tokyo National Museum Ueno (🚨Temporary Event)
🇯🇵Nihonbashi Tonkatsuichi

Day 11:
🇯🇵Sapporo TV Tower
🇯🇵Sapporo Clock Tower
🇯🇵Former Hokkaido Government Office
🇯🇵Hokkaido Breads by Sapporo Grand Hotel
🇯🇵Nijo Fish Market 🐟
🇯🇵Baristart☕️ (10:00-18:00)
🇯🇵Jogai & Crab Market
🇯🇵Hokkaido Shrine (Jingu)
🇯🇵Shiroi Koibito or Ishiya Chocolate Factory 🍫
🇯🇵Yamaya Hakata Tempura COCONO SUSUKINO Store
🇯🇵Pole Town

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Accommodations:
🏨Premier Hotel Cabin President Hakodate (Day 1-3, 2 nights, 1.9k/night)
🏨Vessel Inn Sapporo Nakajimakoen (Day 3-5, 2 nights, 3.4k/night)
🏨Hotel Route Inn Grand Asahikawa (Day 5-6, 1 night, 2.7k/night)
🏨Mercure Sapporo (Day 6-7, 1 night, 2.6k/night)
🏨Air Terminal at New Chitose Airport (Day 7-8, 1 night, 3.9k/night)
🏨Remm Roppongi (Day 8-10, 2 nights, 4.2k/night)
🏨Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo (Day 10-12, 2 nights, 3.2k/night)

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Transportation:

🛫International Flights (Thai Airways): 28k/person
Dec 2: BKK (23:55) > Dec 3: Sapporo (8:25)
Dec 14: Sapporo (10:00) > BKK (15:50)

🛫Domestic Flights (Japan Airlines): 5k/person
Dec 10: Sapporo - New Chitose (7:20) > Tokyo - Haneda (9:05)
Dec 12: Haneda (20:40) > New Chitose (22:10)

🚨The Tokyo trip was added last minute 😅 Ideally, the plan should have been BKK > Sapporo > Tokyo (domestic flight) > BKK for the return.

🚊Intercity Train Travel: JR Hokkaido Pass 5 days = 4,635 THB/person (Activate Dec 3-7) 🚨If the pass expires, buy tickets for each trip as needed.

🚋🚇City travel in Hokkaido via Tram or Subway: Use Suica or purchase passes.

🚗 Car Rental for Asahikawa - Biei - Furano - Sapporo: Toyota Rent A Car (Day 5 19:00 - Day 7 19:00) Price: 8,500 for 2 days, excluding fuel costs.